Latch



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Patented Ang liti, 1925.

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LATCH.

Application filed August, 1924.

for cupboard doors and the like whereindoors are mounted in pairshinged at opposite edges and having their adjacent edges in proximate relation, and particularly to an improved latch actuated by the movement of one of the doors to secure or release both of a pair of such doors.V

The primary object of my invention is to provide an improved latch tor cupboard doors and the like.

Another objectisto provide van improved latch which will edectively retain both ot pair of doors in closed position.

A further obj ect is to provide an improved latch which is actuated by the inward movement oi oneot a pair of doors to closed position to secure both the doors, and actuated by the outward movement ot said doors to release both of said doors thereby facilitating the fastening` and releasing of the doors.

Another object is to provide an improved latch which is normally actuated by the movement ot an opposite door but which may be operated independently to secure the door upon which itis `secured without interfering with the normal engagement by the opposite door..

A still further object is to provide an improved device which may be mounted at the top ot relatively high doors such as cannot be readily secured by manually operated latches.

l still further object is to provide an improved latch which is simple and easily applied and which will term a cheap and elticient means tor securing` cupboard doors and the like..

ll accomplish these and other objects by means ci the device disclosed in the drawings forming a part oi' the present specification wherein like characters of reference are used `to designate similar parts throughout said specification and drawings and in which," Y

l? ig. 1 is a plan view oi the latch as applied upon a pair o cupboard doors.

Fig. 2 is a right side elevation of the latch. as shown in Fig. 1.

Serial No. 730,223.

Fig. 3 is a sectional detail showing the manner in which the latch engaging member is moved into engagement with the latch when in the latching position.

Referring to the drawings, the numerals 1 and 2 are used to designate in general pair oi doors such as commonly used upon cupboards and the like wherein doors are mounted in pairs hinged upon opposite edges and having their adjacent edges arranged in proximate relation. @ne ot the doors is preferably provided with an extension 3 adapted to be received within a notch el..

formed upon the opposite door.

Upon one of the doors is secured a latch, designated in general by the numeral 6, pivotally mounted upon amounting member 7 screwed or otherwise secured upon the inner side of the tree edge of the door. The latch 6 is provided with a hook shaped portion 8 and a ylaterally disposed extension 9 arranged opposite the hook portion 9. The latch is preferably mounted upon a pin 12 extending between extensions 13 formed upon the mounting member 7, whereby a staple bearing is obtained.

fl. latch engaging member 11i is screwed or otherwise secured upon the door opposite the latch 6, said member having a lateral extension 16 terminating in an inwardly Y turned lip 17. A pin 18 is slidably mounted upon the latch 6 adjacent the end oi the ei;- tension 9, and arranged to be engaged by the lip 17 when the doors are moved to a closed position ashereinatter more fully explained.

A retaining member 19 is secured .adjacent the latch 6 in a position adapted to be engaged by the hook portion 8 ot' the latch 6 when Vin latching position, said member preferably consisting of a sleeve held by a screw 21 secured in the top oi' the cupboard 23 or other convenient mounting such as a shelf within the cupboard.

The extension 8 extends past the edge of the door 1 upon which it is mounted and overhangs the opposite door 2 suciently to cause the pin 18 to be engaged by the lip 17 oi the member 14C, Asaid extension being made substantially L shaped so that when the latch is moved about its pivot mounting the extension will lit around the edge of the door. rlhe body portion of the latch 6 is provided with a pointed end 21 'adapted to engage the mounting member 7 to limit the movement of the latch relative to the mounting.

1n operation the several members are mounted in the relation shown in the drawings. Then now the doors are moved to closed position the edge ot door 2 engages the end oit the extension 8 and moves the latch pivotally about its mounting pin 12. As the doors approach the tully closed position the hoolt portion S ot the latch moves into engagement with the retaining member 19 as shown in tull lines in 1 of the drawings. rit the same time the pin 18 moves to a position immediately inside the edge ot the lip 1.7 of the latch engaging member 1e so that when the doors reach the tully closed position door l will be held in position by thc hook 8 and door 2 will be held by engagement between the lip 1T and the pin 18, both doors being thus tast-ened in the closed position.

Villien now it is desired to open the doors, the door 1 is swung outwardly about its hinges by means oit a knob or other suitable member adapted to be grasped l y the hand ot a person. sutlicient pull l eing er erted to overcome the normal trictional resistence and causing the lip 1?. engagingl the latch through the pin 18, to swing the latch pivotailly about its mounting and release the hook portion 8 trom engagement with the retaining member 19. frs the latch moves away from the latching position shown in 'ull lines the pin 18 is moved out oit the path of the lip 17 thus permitting the door 2 to be freely Opened atter the` latch has been moved to the releasing` position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 oi" the drawings. As the latch has been thus released the door 1 may be freely Opened it desire-d or allowet to remain in normal closed position. lil-Then the door 1 is again closed the latch will be moved from the position shown in dotted lines to the latching position shown in tull lines as above explained.

Should the latch be moved manually to cause the hook portion S to the retaining member 19 while the door is open, the lip 17 will be moved into engagement with the pin 18 when the door 2 is closed. To permit the door to be fully closed and the member 14 to enter normal engagement with the latch, the pin 18 is afforded sufficient sliding movement to permit it to be raised while. the lip 17 passes thereunder. the lower end of the pin 18 being lifted by the. inclined back of the lip 1'? until the lip has passed under the pin, said pin thereatter dropping back to norma-l position. In this manner the member 14 is permitted to engage the latch whether said latch is in latching or releasing position, and operative fastening engagement will be obtained between the several members regardless ot the position of the latch when the closing ot the doors is started. In this connection. it is important to note the pivotal movement of the latch 6 is limited by the pointed end 21 so that the latch 6 cannot be swung inwardly so far as to prevent the hook portion 8 from engaging the member 19 when the doors are closed, the inclined edge 23 being formed upon thc end of the hook portion 8 so that should the latch be moved to latching position while the door 1 is open the latch will be :torced back to releasing position by the member 1f) when the door` is closed.

My improved latch is particularly valuable for use in cupboards, lockers and the like having tall doors such that the ordinarjv manually operated latch cannot be readilj.v reached when placed at the top ot the locker and where shelves are not available in lower and more accessible position. As my device is operated entirely automatically by the opening and closing ot the doors the device may be placed in elevated position without inconvenience to the person opening or tastening the doors. Furthermore, being placed preferably at the extreme top of the door, the device will be very inconspicuous and will not interfere in any manner with the storing ot goods or the like within the cupboard.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,

1. A latch tor cupboard doors and the like of the character described comprising a latch pivotally mounted upon one of a pair of doors hingedly mounted at opposite edges and having their adjacent edges in proximate relation, said latch being provided with an extension adapted to be engaged by the opposite door and moved thereby to latching position when the doors are moved to closed position; and means mounted adjacent the doors adapted to be engaged by the latch to retain the doors in said closed position.

2. A latch for cupboard doors and the like of the character described comprising a latch pivotally mounted upon one ot a pair of doors hingedly mounted at iopposite edges thereof and having their adjacent edges in proximate relation. said latch being provided with a hook portion and an extension adapted to be engaged by the opposite door and moved thereby to latching position when the doors are moved to closed position; a retaining member mounted adjacent the doors and adapted to be engaged by the hook portion or the latch when in latching position: and means mounted upon the door opposite the latch and adapted to engage the extension upon said latch to normally hold said door in closed position and to move the latch to releasing position when said door is opened.

3. A. latch for cupboard doors and the like ot the character described comprising a latch pivotally mounted upon one of a pair of doors hingedly mounted at opposite edges thereof and having their adjacent edges in proximate relation, said latch being provided with a hook portion and an extension vadaptedto be engaged by the opposite door and moved thereby to latching position When the doors are moved to a closed position; a retaining member mounted adjacent the doors and adapted to be engaged by the hook portion of the latch when in latching position; a pin slidably mounted Aupon the extension; and a latch engaging member mounted upon the door opposite the latch and arranged to engage the pin carried by the extension to normally hold said door in closed position and adapted to move the latch pivotally to release the retaining member When said door is opened.

4. A latch for cupboard doors and the like of the character described comprising a latch pivotally mounted upon one of a pair of doors hingedly mounted at opposite edges thereof and having their adjacent edges in proximate relation, said latch being provided With a hook shaped latch portion and a lateral extension arranged opposite the hook portion and adapted to be engaged by the opposite door for moving the latch to latching position when the doors are moved to closed position; a retaining member mounted adjacent the doors and adapted to vbe engaged by the hook portion of the latch; a pin slidably mounted adjacent the end of the extension; and a latch engaging member secured upon the door opposite the latch and provided with an inwardly inclined lip adapted to be moved under the pin when the door is moved to a closed position, said lip being adapted to engage the pin and normally hold the door in closed position and to move the latch to releasing position when the door is opened, the pin being moved out of the path of the lip as the latch is moved pivotally to releasing position.

In Witness whereof I hereunto set my signature.

FREDERICK BENDIX. 

